Lula receives Nicolas Maduro this Monday

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva receives this Monday (29) the President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro. The agenda, at the Planalto Palace, includes a private meeting between the leaders at 10:30 am, an extended meeting at 11:30 am and a signing ceremony at 12:30 pm, followed by lunch at 1:30 pm. Maduro landed in Brasilia on Sunday night (28), accompanied by his wife Cilia Flores, to participate, this Tuesday (30), in the meeting of presidents of South American countries. On social media, the Venezuelan president thanked “the warm welcome” and mentioned the development of a diplomatic agenda that strengthens “the union of the peoples of the continent”. The meeting between Lula and Maduro marks the resumption of relations between Brazil and Venezuela. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two representatives should advance in the process of “normalization of bilateral relations”. Among the topics on the agenda is the reopening of the respective embassies and consular sectors. “It will also be an occasion for the presidents to talk about internal dialogue processes in Venezuela, with a view to holding the 2024 elections,” informed the Itamaraty. Yanomami At the meeting, the two leaders are expected to address the results of the recent multidisciplinary mission to the Venezuelan capital, organized by the Brazilian Cooperation Agency, which included representatives from more than 20 Brazilian government agencies. “Special attention will be given to border issues, with emphasis on the protection of populations residing in this area, including the Yanomami peoples”. Amazonian cooperation Also according to the portfolio, the two heads of state should address issues on the regional agenda, such as South American integration and Amazonian cooperation, and multilateral agenda, notably with regard to peace, security and climate change . Trade Data from the Brazilian government indicate that bilateral trade with Venezuela reached around US$ 1.7 billion in 2022, with Brazilian exports of US$ 1.3 billion and imports of almost US$ 400 million. The exchange between the two countries reached US$ 6 billion in 2013, “which demonstrates the potential of the relationship and gives rise to the deepening of the dialogue with a view to the resumption of economic partnerships, the complementarity of production chains and the removal of obstacles to trade”.

Agência Brasil